The participants will look forward to your corporate event, and if it’s organized properly, they can definitely help businesses by strengthening the relationship with customers, partners, employees or other stakeholders.

The key to a successful event is making sure you’re going to provide a fun and unforgettable experience for your guests.

The attendees need to feel relaxed and comfortable.

That’s why it’s important to focus your attention in the planning process on aspects which will genuinely make a difference in the event’s atmosphere.

Here are three common mistakes you need to avoid when booking corporate entertainment your audience will love.

1. Start Looking for Entertainment Too Late

When’s the best time to start looking for corporate entertainment? As soon as you have the demographic profile of the people who are going to attend your event.

Booking well in advance means you’ll have many options to choose from. Postponing it until the last minute will only lead to remaining with a few entertainment options which might not match your audience’s interests.

If you want to have a chance at booking quality corporate entertainment, then you should make it a priority within the first few weeks of the planning process.

2. Dismiss What Your Guests Would like

A common mistake made in the corporate event planning area is the fact the planner will often book an entertainer who appeals to them and not to the audience.

The demographics are critical to the event’s success, which is why, as we’ve already mentioned above, as soon as you know whom you’re going to invite, you can start the research.

When it comes to demographics, you should take into consideration their age, gender, background, and interests.

By booking corporate entertainment which will not interest your audience, the attendees can end up sitting at the table and talking to each other (unless it’s a networking event – then this is a good thing) or worse, getting up and leave the event.

3. Set a Realistic Budget

Budgeting is a critical part of the event planning process. You want to make sure you can estimate as accurately as possible how much money you can allocate for the entertainment.

If you have no idea how much you should pay for quality entertainment, then you should research to see the prices which are set for the type of entertainment you would want to hire.

Quality corporate entertainment usually comes at a cost, so you shouldn’t be surprised if the budget if you do not properly research all of the cost in advance.

Booking Corporate Entertainment for Your Next Event

By using the right amount of research, planning, and knowledge of guest expectations, you’ll be on your way of organizing a successful corporate event.

At The Grable Group, we retain a select group of comedians, entertainers, and unique variety acts so our clients can choose only from the best in the industry.

That being said, if you need help finding the best corporate entertainment for your event, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (615) 283-0039.

Venue and design choices aside, corporate party entertainment has to be on point, which means that, as an event planner, you cannot afford to go easy on any of these aspects.

In what concerns the entertainment bit, we thought it would be helpful if we comprised a list of questions you should go through before starting to break down the budget.

How Much Entertainment Do You Need?

Budget-wise, you need to have a clear grasp of how many acts you need and should hire.

If your party is addressed to employees, you will not need an act to break the ice; a live band is enough. If, however, you want to reward your staff with something special, you can go for a second act to reinforce your appreciation and make them feel special.

In the eventuality that your corporate event aims at creating a networking-friendly environment, you will need an opener. Stand-up comedy, improv comedy or a variety act can do wonders for your guests and will likely trigger new connections.

What Kind of Corporate Party Entertainment Best Suits Your Company Culture?

This question should be the driving force behind any company event.

Whatever concept you come up with for the party, it should fit your brand’s message because a party is also an investment in an overall greater brand building strategy.

Can You Afford to Experiment with Your Entertainment?

Because if not, you need to look in a slightly different direction, namely at clean comedy acts or non-controversial kinds of performances.

It is best if you know from the get-go exactly what kind of audience you will have and which are their main interests and how your corporate party entertainment can cater to them.

If the audience is more compact and targeted, indeed, you can afford to hire less commonly encountered variety acts, for instance.

If attendees come from a more diversified background, a safe choice could be clean comedy or even clean magic comedy.

Do Performers Have Feedback from Corporate/Enterprise Clients?

You spot an interesting act, you start researching it, and it seems to you that it might be just what you need to enliven your upcoming party.

However, has this act been validated by similar companies? Has it been tested in the corporate medium?

The answer to these questions is to be found in the testimonial section of any performer’s website. If they have experience in the field, they will want to showcase these high-profile reviews as visibly as possible.

The moment you read acknowledgment from company representatives is the moment you can 100% decide to pick that particular act for your event as well.

Do You Need Entertainment Ideas?

Important events are made memorable when infused with FRESH Ideas and great entertainment. When finding entertainers for an event, whether it is corporate, non-profit or interactive, it is important to consider the audience. Large events require performers with a comic touch, a unique sensibility and a willingness to engage the audience.

Entertainers like Joe Castillo, Heidi Schwartz, Bob Stromberg, Simon Pierro and Taylor Mason are perfect for any event. These comedians and artists use their individual brands of charm to make events special and are a surefire way to spice up any party or function. Their talents run the gamut from ventriloquism to sand art, and their unique skills can be tailored to suit events both large and small.

FRESH Ideas for Corporate Events

Joe Castillo is a one of a kind artist who has inspired audiences around the world with his stunning sand art. He is a consummate storyteller, weaving together words and images to create a memorable live experience. He has performed for millions of people in over twenty countries and is an excellent choice for corporate events, conferences, and other functions.

Heidi Schwartz uses her art to make any party unforgettable. She brings her talents to myriad events, from charity banquets to birthday bashes, and creates paintings that perfectly capture the atmosphere of the party. The merit of the artwork is twofold, as her painting are both live performances and treasured keepsakes.

For an event in need of FRESH Ideas, Bob Stromberg is the ideal balance of comedy and artistry. His blend of physical comedy and hand shadows makes him an infectious performer, suitable for any event. He has entertained Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations and more with his deft comic persona and engaging wit.

Simon Pierro is a digital magician who uses technology to create astounding spectacles and dazzling illusions. Armed with an iPad and a treasure trove of trade secrets, Pierro has delighted audiences all over the world, from his home country of Germany to the United States. His tech-savvy magic makes him an ideal entertainer for corporate events.

Taylor Mason is a successful comic in any venue. His sharp delivery and ventriloquism act can be tailored to meet the needs of corporate events, comedy clubs or shows for kids. He brings FRESH Ideas and inclusive humor to any event and is sure to delight any audience he meets.

FRESH Ideas make corporate entertainment any function better. Try an outside the box entertainer to create a truly memorable event. From live artists to tech wizards, the live entertainment has never been more diverse. Entertainers such as Taylor Mason, Simon Pierro, Bob Stromberg, Heidi Schwartz and Joe Castillo are inventive performers who make any event magical.

Is Your Company Ready to Party the Night Away?

Of course, this question is somewhat rhetorical – we all know the answer, and the answer is “yes”.

As the event planner of such an expected event, you have to be on your toes and nail the choices for the best corporate party entertainment.

Rest assured, however. Here, at The Grable Group, we are ready to stand by your side and help you ace these choices. Suggestions, performers features, tips and tricks – all these can be found among the pieces we regularly publish in our blog section. Be our guest to check them thoroughly!

The ability of the human body to coordinate and create unique movements has never ceased to amaze and entertain.

And one of the finest and most masterful displays of this unique capacity can be observed during juggling acts.

Entire audiences are marveling at the way a juggler can control and direct the loops created by fast-moving objects. And when these virtuosos throw additional skills – like singing or humor – in the mix, you got one of the most complex variety acts out there.

In this article, you will meet three living proofs humans are a constant source of wonders.

We are opening our list of extraordinary juggling acts in great fashion, with a high-energy act which will get audience members from one gasp-worthy moment to another. And not only gasps, but also laughs. That is because Ivan Pecel infuses his performance with hilarious bits of content.

To build a complete profile to Ivan, we have to mention he is also a good actor – which rounds him up to what you would call a complete performer.

Once he hits the stage, he immediately arrests people’s attention and then puts all his energy into keeping it there.

He knows how to play with voice inflections, self-deprecatory content or hilarious stories from his past performances, as seen in the clip below:

Earlier in this article, we were talking about unique combinations of skill sets. However, how about unique concepts which are also outstanding juggling acts moving the art forward?

We are referring to The Passing Zone, two dynamic performers who came up with the idea of using juggling as a teambuilding opportunity. They exemplify teamwork principles by showing how teammates can put their trust in one another when performing high-risk juggling sets.

This is how they built a name for themselves in the highly competitive world of corporate entertainment.

It helps that they have been validated by America’s Got Talent audience, who voted them through to the runner-up spot.

Juggling Acts. And Beyond

Juggling performances demand a high degree of control to be mastered and thus make for one of the best picks if you need variety entertainment at your event.

And when you get the ‘hilarious’ or the ‘teambuilding’ factors on top of that, you can make sure your guests are in for an unforgettable time.

If there’s one type of entertainment which can sure leave an audience speechless, that is variety entertainment. Dynamic and powerful are its best attributes, and the ‘wow’ factor is almost always guaranteed.

So, it is no wonder variety acts on AGT are usually going through to the superior phases. They are too striking to be left behind.

The great advantage variety performers have on America’s Got Talent is the fact they have an entire production team to help them out with delivering stunning acts.

So, here are the variety performers who impressed the viewership this season.

Light Balance

We talked about attributes like stunning, remarkable, outstanding. Well, if it were to find the perfect embodiment for them, we would present you the Light Up dance crew.

Their act, Light Balance, is a feast for the eye, with unique dance costumes sewn onto with neon lights.

These lights add an extra dimension to the already amazing choreography and moves Light Up bring to the stage.

Variety acts on AGT have often included pet training acts with great success throughout time.

So, when Sara brought her dog, Hero, to the AGT stage, everyone was instantly charmed.

However, there is an explanation for this instant positive reaction: Sara Carson is considered to be one of America’s top instructor for dog tricks, with several so-called ‘agility titles’ and a dog training business run for more than 5 years so far.

Diavolo

When the human mind finds ways of showcasing the human body into a display of sound, shapes, and visuals, we get something like Diavolo, which was presented in season 12 of America’s Got Talent.

No wonder the acrobatic dance crew ended up in the top 10 this season, with all the elements they pack into each act:

stunning aerialist tricks

breathtaking use of massive props

coordination

elegance

balletic quality of powerful movement.

Preacher Lawson

Stand-up comedy could not have missed from a list of best variety acts on AGT.

In the finale of season 12, it was well represented by Preacher Lawson, the 25-year-old who brought a welcome breath of fresh air among the other inspiring and epic acts.

He delivers his comedy with such infectious joy and fast-paced rhythm, that audience members cannot catch a break from smiling ear to ear. If you are in for a few minutes of care-free laughs and you have got your eyes on a talented comedian to bring to your event, here’s Preacher Lawson for you:

Darci Lynne

With her incredible vocals, Darci could have been featured on a ‘best singers’ list. However, the ventriloquist skills are so strong that we put her among the best variety acts on AGT.

Darci’s performance is so packed with humor, charisma, acting skills, joy, and overall quality that it is no wonder the viewers loved her.

She is also showing signs of a promising entertainment prodigy.

Can You Have Something Like the Variety Acts on AGT for Your Event?

At Grable Group, yes, we can vouch for AGT kind of variety acts. From jugglers to hypnotists, mentalists, ventriloquists or performance arts, there’s a bit for every kind of event.

You can find us here if it is hard for you to make up your mind and decide to pick just one act from the list.

Entertainment for hire can take many forms since it is a domain enabling artists to come up with niche concepts.

Since possibilities are endless, it can sometimes be problematic for you to settle for a single act which will potentially elevate your entire event.

Today we are going to focus on a single part of the entertainment sector, which is variety acts. They are any act which does not fall into the speaker/comedian/music industry. Practically speaking, this is where you will encounter the most diversity concerning off-the-beaten-track performers.

We have delineated a few situations wherein these acts would fit like a glove. Plus, we selected a Grable Group variety artist for each context to illustrate it best.

1. When You Want to Inspire

Sometimes, a motivational speaker just isn’t enough. People hear this type of speech all the time. Unless you are a large enterprise which has a particular agenda (i.e., changes in company culture), motivational speeches can be replaced with a more off-the-cuff act which conveys the same amount of energy.

Ricky Kalmon is a perfect exemplification of how motivational speeches can be delivered.

His craft combines several ingredients for a maximum impact:

Hypnosis

Comedy

Clean humor

Motivational speech

“Change the way you think, and you can change your world.” is Ricky’s motto, the driving force behind an act which will galvanize your audience’s approach to personal development.

2. When You Want to Amaze

Are you looking to arrest your guests’ attention with a jaw-dropping moment? Do you want them hooked from start to finish?

Attention-grabbing moments are great when you are preparing for a product launch, a corporate party or a session opener.

The kind of entertainment for hire you could be looking for is Sofie Dossi‘s aerialist performance. With her otherworldly yet effortless moves, she is sure to entertain a wide range of guests.

3. When You Need to Create a Networking Environment

These days, most corporate or business events stress the importance of making connections in the entrepreneurial world. After all, it is people who drive companies forwards, so there is never too much networking to be had at a corporate party.

However, how can you reach to people who – although sharing similar interests – have never met before? Entertainment for hire could harness connection and make your event a relevant moment in the participants’ lives.

Out of all the options, we think a mentalist act is ideal for a corporate networking setting. That is why an illusionist like Eric Dittelman can do the trick. The former America’s Got Talent participant will spark heated discussions related to his mind-reading skills.

4. When You Need Brand Awareness

Making people remember your company’s name and amazing services is an ongoing challenge you may try to meet by organizing company events.

In this case, you most likely need a versatile performer who is both experienced and open to new approaches. So how about 3 of such talented individuals?

We are talking about The 3 Painters, a bunch of outstanding artists dedicating their craft to showcasing anything in the most spectacular and tasteful way.

Use the Entertainment for Hire Services of an Agency

Of course, we only covered a few instances wherein you could use variety acts. However, as we stated in the introduction of the article, the possibilities are endless.

That is precisely why you will want to make the best choice and have an entertainment booking agency do that for you. This way, you save time and avoid the risk of getting lost in indecision.